UNPAID community work is not a soft option, according to a Kidderminster offender working for the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network furniture centre.

Stuart Sargent, who was ordered to do 240 hours unpaid work as punishment for assaulting his wife while drunk, said the project had opened new doors for him.

"All the lads on my team knuckle down and get on with the work. It's definitely worthwhile and it's not an easy option," said the 47-year-old, who is still with his wife.

He spent nine years in the Army after leaving school but since returning to Civvy Street has had an incredible 211 jobs, ranging from refuse collector to hospital worker.

Mr Sargent is now learning how to repair electrical appliances with the community network and hopes to start a college course, as well as helping in the network's furniture warehouse and assisting with collections and deliveries.

He was speaking at the launch of Community Payback - through which Wyre Forest residents can choose the type of unpaid work done by offenders.

West Mercia Probation Service chose to show off its project, based at the network's furniture centre on the Firs Industrial Estate, for the event in the presence of Kidderminster mayor, Peter Dyke, who urged people to take advantage of the scheme.

North Worcestershire Probation Service community punishment manager, Sara Atkins, said there were currently about eight long-term projects on the go in Wyre Forest, including the maintenance of St Michael's Churchyard, Stourport and the Millennium Green at Wribbenhall, Bewdley.

Teams of offenders have also tidied up derelict and overgrown areas of land and painted and decorated several buildings, including Great Witley Village Hall and Stourport Day Care Centre.

Their efforts earned a grounds maintenance group working at Areley Kings an award for best kept churchyard.

Case manager, Trevor Webster, said they were keen for people to suggest projects, which must involve work which, would, otherwise, not be carried out.

The beneficiary or commissioning organisation has to provide the materials but the probation service does have its own grounds maintenance equipment.

The service's area manager for interventions, Paul Baker, said 75 per cent of offenders completed their unpaid work without re-offending.

"We are constantly evaluating the benefit of the projects to the beneficiary and the community," he explained.

"Unpaid work enables the offenders to pay back to the community but also gives them the opportunity to change their attitudes, beliefs and behaviour and for them to learn new skills."

Projects can be nominated by completing a suggestion form on West Mercia's website - www.westmercia.probation.org.uk -or by contacting the Kidderminster probation office on 01562 820071.